Kyiv Hit by Rare Daytime Ballistic Missile Strike

In brief: Kyiv Post correspondents report multiple explosions in and around the city on Friday, July 24, as the Ukrainian Air Force warns of incoming ballistic missiles in a rare daytime attack. Currenly estimates suggest 12 missiles were launched, including ballistic missiles and the Tsirkon cruise missiles.

Kyiv is under a rare, daytime Russian ballistic missile attack that started around 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 24.

Kyiv Post correspondents reported multiple explosions in and around the capital as missiles continued to soar through the skies, with the Ukrainian Air Force warning that multiple missiles were launched from the north.

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Smoke has been seen rising over the capital as air defenses engage incoming missiles. Officials are still assessing the extent of the strikes and any resulting damage.

Local monitoring channels identified the missiles as likely S-300, S-400, or Iskander systems.

Another update suggested that cruise missiles, including the 3M22 Tsirkon, were also launched from Russia’s Kursk region.

Current estimates place the number of missiles launched at around a dozen at the time of publication.

Air attacks generally take place at night in Russia’s war in Ukraine, with daytime attacks generally rare. The occasional daytime attacks also took place in the evening hours as opposed to mornings.

July also saw an unusually high number of ballistic missiles launched against Ukraine, with 107 ballistic missiles and 20 Zircon missiles launched in the first 19 days. Military outlet Militarnyi suggested the number exceeds Russia’s known monthly production .

Leo Chiu is a journalist and editor based in Eastern Europe since 2015. He has witnessed two presidential elections in Belarus and traveled widely to conflict zones and contested regions, producing reporting that bridges the gap between major developments and local realities.